Blue and Gold Macaw

Updated on August 8, 2007

Blue And Gold Macaw Parrot Care

Blue and Gold Macaws are majestic animals and proper care should be maintained to ensure a long, healthy, and happy life.

Macaws need to have plenty of room to move around in. They should be allowed the run of the house to follow their flock (owner(s), they will see their owner(s) as their flock if they are bonded to you), but they should be in a cage at night for sleeping and if there are strangers (including children and other pets) in the house.

Blue and yellow macaws are very territorial, and they may attack a stranger, or another pet, so caution must be taken. They may even attack their people if they are protecting their cage.

The cage for a macaw should be no smaller than 40” wide, 30” deep, and 50” tall with the bars being no farther apart than 1”. The bars should also be strong enough to withstand a macaw’s powerful beak (at least 10 gauges).

Of course, the bigger the cage the better. macaws are active birds, and they love to climb around, talk, mimic, sing, whistle, and as occasional screech is in order. They are also known for chewing, so watch your furniture, window frames, picture frames, anything made from wood is fair game, at least according to a macaw. For this reason, it is important that your macaw has some guidelines as to what it can and can’t chew on. Plenty of toys that your macaw can chew up are important to have, even when it is out of its cage. Macaw parrots can be taught to put their toys away when they are done playing with them, and some macaws love to drag their favorite toy around the house.

Good care of a blue and yellow macaw also entails proper nutrition. In the wild, macaw parrots eat berries, nuts, fruits, and sometimes even small insects. Their captive diet should have the same nutritional values. A good pellet food, designed for macaw parrots is a good start. However, be sure to offer fresh fruits every day, and some cooked meat products. They can have chicken also but make sure it's limited. Remember that a macaw parrot needs a high protein diet.

Good care of a blue gold macaw parrot also entails good mental stimulation. These are very smart birds, and they love to learn. They love puzzle toys, learning new words, songs, tricks, and games.

Macaws will usually bond with just one person, however, they can accept others in the household, and sometimes even strangers, however, they have a very powerful beak that can do severe damage to adults and children, so extra caution must be taken around these beautiful, majestic birds.

Be sure to take your macaw parrot to a Certified Avian Vet or an Exotic Animal Vet at least twice a year for a wellness check up. This is important, as a visit for a sick macaw would cost so much more that the cost of the 2 yearly visits.

I hope this article was useful to you. I recommend you to check the following site out for parrot training and taming tips:

You can also sign up for a free 3-day parrot training and taming course there so make sure to check it out.

Macaw Behavior

Macaws love to be a part of the family and invited into family activities. They love to interact with their owners, but they are also content to have heir quiet time. While a Macaw can be noisy, proper training can easily modify this behavior. Keep in mind that a Macaw will not learn to be quieter if the household is noisy.

The large beak of a Macaw can do quite a bit of damage to a house, as they are natural chewers, however, this behavior can also be modified if given enough bird safe, wood toys to chew on. They will learn that the toys are fine to chew on and they will usually leave the furniture alone.

Macaws love to walk around on the floor, so be sure to keep your floors clean and disinfected, and make sure that there is nothing that it can chew on that will harm your bird. Many Macaws will actually follow their owner(s) from room to room.

Macaws also love to talk. This is learned from their owner(s), and they do catch onto words fairly quickly, so you need to be sure not to say anything that you would not want your bird to repeat in front of people.

With the mentality of a 2-5 year old, Macaws will test rules, so be sure that you are consistent with the rules. If your Macaw gets the behavior that (s)he can get away with anything, (s)he will.

Although it’s inviting to have your Macaw sit on your shoulder, don’t do this. A Macaw is taught to bite easily and can bite you severely the face, which in turn can cause you to not love your bird anymore, or to get rid of your bird. The main one that suffers here is the bird.

Bad behavior is learned by negative reinforcement. If your Macaw starts screaming and you yell at your bird, then (s)he has learned the this behavior will get him/her attention and will continue to do this.

Macaws are mainly aggressive when it comes to their cage, therefore it is important to perch train your macaw so that you can move him/her to a play gym while you are servicing the cage.

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Comments 74 comments

i want to teach my mccaw from screaming. i have tried a lot of different approaches. plz help. i love my bird hes 3 yrs old bought him from a private owner

Chet Womach 8 years ago

Marilyn, The first and most important thing is not to reward your Macaw when she screams by giving her ANY attention. Wait until she has stopped screaming and then go into the room she's in and spend some time with her.

Figure out why she screams. Maybe she doesn't like where her cage is at. Maybe there's something new in her environment that is stressing her out. Here are some common problems blue and golds have and some fixes:

This is just a piece of my mind on who ever thinks that birds are retarded!! I have been raised around birds all my life and the one thing that i have learned is that they are far from retarded.. i have 3 children and i own a blue and gold macaw, he is a joy and a wonder every day he brings happiness and laughter to our home, as for you ruth maybe you need to research a topic on hatefull and ugly people, that may be more up your alley, since you sure are unaware of the true value of the love and joy that a bird can bring.

Y.to 8 years ago

To the person that thinks that birds are "retareded" ( btw i think you mispelled retarded), clearly you have no life and i don't understand why you would waste your time posting a comment so ignorant. I whole heartedly agree with ptmilby birds do bring love and joy, and they certainly are amazing creature. No one wants to hear you.

Anniroz 7 years ago

Parrots are wonderful intelligent creatures. They are suffering from "loss" of habitant. Most of us do not personally have the money to save them so we have taken them in as pets. No animal on this earth is retarded. Many are misunderstood but they all have their place in this world.

kate 7 years ago

i have a blue and gold macaw and i have to say he can really be a sod and an attetion seeker, i find that oscar can and will wake up in different moods every day which does make me laugh, i just have to gauge when he wants company and when to be left alone, a few of my friends who have tried to befriend him have come off worst,

if thinking about buying a macaw think very seriosly because as they do take up an awful lot of time and acquire as much attention as a child i believe, they can not be ignored for a day or days as sometimes you really would wish to....as they will become unhappy. much as we would in a relationship of any kind...

my parrot is spoilt so much so that he will screach if i leave the room, refuse to let me eat my dinner in piece and is always on the look out for furniture to chew but i don't mind altho at the moment i am trying to ignore his demands for attention ( its not easy)

so to ruth the rather stupid women who belives birds are retards i think a quick look in the mirror should reveal who is actually the retard in this whole discussion, not only is she commenting on a personality of an animal she does not understand as i am sure she has probably only encountered one in a zoo of sorts or in books, should really not comment on what we responsible macaw owners and lovers should belive or do with our beloved birds....... if we were wrong why at this very moment would oscar my bird have come down off his perch to sit on the sofa with my daughter who has just come in and help her do her jigsaw....

( or should that be try to eat it)!!?

macaw lover 7 years ago

I love blue and Gold macaws. i think they r beautiful animals. i really really want one but not lucky enough. those of u who have a blue and gold macaw r extremly lucky unlike ruth. if i where her i would not bother to write such a stupid and childish comment.

A MESSAGE TO RUTH: R U SURE U WHERE NOT TALKING ABOUT UR SELF.

macaw lover 7 years ago

I love blue and Gold macaws. i think they r beautiful animals. i really really want one but not lucky enough. those of u who have a blue and gold macaw r extremly lucky unlike ruth. if i where her i would not bother to write such a stupid and childish comment.

A MESSAGE TO RUTH: R U SURE U WHERE NOT TALKING ABOUT UR SELF.

blueandgold macaw lover 7 years ago

I love blue and Gold macaws. i think they r beautiful animals. i really really want one but not lucky enough. those of u who have a blue and gold macaw r extremly lucky unlike ruth. if i where her i would not bother to write such a stupid and childish comment.

A MESSAGE TO RUTH: R U SURE U WHERE NOT TALKING ABOUT UR SELF.

macawlover 7 years ago

ruth ur just a child its not ur age to go on the computer and write a message if u don't know wat it means.

macawlover 7 years ago

to chet womach. i live in the uk and i really really love blue and gold macaws i want to know how much they cost. i want a baby blue and gold macaw so i want to know what they can and can not do and information how to look after one. thank u.

stephannie delgado 7 years ago

question really i am going to get a blue and gold macaw bird and would like to know if these kinds birds need shots and what kinds if anyone

macawlover 7 years ago

hi stephannie delgado, i may be able to answer ur question what do u mean by shots. thank u. where will u get ur blue and gold macaw from because i really really want one. how much do they cost.

chevybird 7 years ago

I just recently rec'd a blue and gold macaw. He is approximately 8 yrs old. The original owner neglected him and he lost all of his feathers. He was then rescued by a couple about 2 yrs ago and most of his feathers have come back. I was wondering if there is something special that I should do to help from his feathers falling out again?!

Thank you in advance for your help.

SueByrd 7 years ago

We own two 10 year old Blue and Gold Girls. They are wonderful friends and great company for each other. It is the biggest responsibility to care for them but so worth it. I wish they were free in the South American jungle but they aren't....but they play in the woods in Oregon. They are the best watch-animals ever! See our byrds on youtube...taking a shower.

macawlover 7 years ago

i really really want a blue and gold macaw but there are expensive.

juslovmibg 7 years ago

i just go t a blue and gold 5 week old baby fir my birthday. he is so much fun and he bonds well, he gets so excited when he sees me. i wanted to know round what age do they start talking. dosent matter he is my baby.

juslovmibg 7 years ago

i just go t a blue and gold 5 week old baby fir my birthday. he is so much fun and he bonds well, he gets so excited when he sees me. i wanted to know round what age do they start talking. dosent matter he is my baby.

Bimbi 7 years ago

I have had my blue and gold macaw, "Jay" for over 10 years. He is extremely smart, loves to ride in the truck, play on the back deck, and talks all the time. He gets along well with my two dogs and two cats. Altho he thinks he is superior to them. I think Ruth is an idiot.

macawlover 7 years ago

blue and gold macaws start to talk at the age of about 1-2 months.

macawlover 7 years ago

blue and gold macaws start to talk at the age of about 1-2 months.

macawlover 7 years ago

does anybody know where i could get a blue and gold macaw

Hayley 7 years ago

Who in the hell sold you a five week old Macaw? Same idiot that posted the retard comment???

Nobody should have a macaw from that age I am pretty sure you made a mistake with your typing

I have a blue and gold who has access to trees daily is fed the Harrisons diet alongside copious amounts of speciality and organic foodstuffs. I interact with my bied for hours on the daily. He is bathed daily and has a cage big enough to house three or four kids

Please if you would like to get a macaw make sure you can give the time and attention needed. They live a mighty long time and need special care and are not just Whimsical buys

Get insurance the best diet you can buy and allow some freedom in a natural environment. Don't whip in and out of a cage at your leisure

Enjoy your friend he could very well outlive you

Bunny Overstreet 7 years ago

I had so much trouble with a blue and gold. A wonderful bird. Personality changed. After 3 months of a biting possessive bird. It took a long time to finally look on line and find a site about female nesting.Their hormones are raging and they do not know how to handle it. Maybe this is why people say their birds suddenly change as mine did. We are now getting thru. it and I must say it was bad. There were no problems with cage size, she has the largest, good pellet food and snacks. Just thought this might help someone that has had the same problem and didn't know what was going on with their wonderful friend. Thanks Bunny

Addicted to Birds 7 years ago

Birds are definitely my fav animal (along with dogs/wolves). I have heaps of little birds, (budgies, cockatiels, Greencheeks, etc), and can Gladly say: Ruth - get a life. Stupid cow doesn't know what she's talking about, why bother post something like that? There is no more exportation of wild Macaws, so all the pets are captive bred. I am thinking of a Macaw for my next pet, as I have the chance to get one for $100, with full id (papers, leg band, NEBRS) and I have always loved Macaws.

steve 7 years ago

Addicted, if you are getting a macaw for only $100 be sure its not a scam. these bird cost about $3000. there are a lot of scams out there with macaws. careful.

melissa 7 years ago

i read alot of posts and i cant believe someone would call birds retarded i own a blue and gold and a military macaw and i wouldn't trade my babies for the world.

JONNY 7 years ago

i have a blue and gold macaw and he wont stop screaming even when were in the same room as him wat can i do to make him stop? i tried to ignore him but he just keeps on going i put him in his cage but i think that just shows him he can get my attention help me plzzzz!!!

Macaw Mama 7 years ago

Wow - Ruth was dumbass. Probably why she hasn't posted in two years. With that said, I have been adopted by a 17 yr old B&G who was neglected by the previous owner. I have to say that after a year of 'getting to know' eachother, we are better. I was in love from the get go. I have had big birds before but a Macaw is by far, the unniest. He sings opera when he takes a bath and meow's like a cat at night. Althought we havehad a few hard times(he tore my lip off and then gave my finger the beak death clamp) we are growing into a bonded couple. YES they are sooooo moody. He has his days of keep the f*ck away from me and then days of total love, hugs and kisses. He is a part of my life for ever and I hope to grow old with him.

So does anyone know when they stop the ability to learn new words? I hae been trying since he came to me to teach him 2 words and it's like talking to my husband! I know he was neglected and that this new life is a total change for him, but after a year of every night of 'Super Bird' I am a bit discouraged. He can say Hello, out, ouch, stop it and goodnight, so I know he CAN speak but maybe doesn't want to learn anything? I don't know. When I took him to the vet, I had questions but they broke his toe before I could have them answered. (yeah I sued the A.H. and won).

So if anyone could help, that would be awesome. I also joined a macaw pwners group on Yahoo that is amazing, if anyone is really into their macaws too.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Trevor 6 years ago

I am lucky enough to have rescued a blue and gold macaw and he/she seems to be settling in very well (s)he now takes food from the hand and allows me to enter the cage without screaming or lundging at me. the only thing that baffles me is when i sit and talk to him/her (s)he taps there beak on the pearch does anyone know what this means if anything

Loraine 6 years ago

Please can you asvice me on how to prevent my much loved greenwing macaw from pulling his chest, leg and back feathers out. He started this behaviour after we had to move his cage into the utility room for a few weeks while we were decorating. He has improved slightly but still does this. He has been going on for a couple of months now, i have left it this long because i thought it was due to us moving him and that he will settle back down once returned to his usual place. Any advice would greatfully help, I am going to take him to the vet but thought i would ask what others have done when confronted with this problem. My Macaw is 3 years old and i had hi from my daughter last year.

Bunny Overstreet 6 years ago

As I posted about 5 months ago about how my bird had gone nuts during the nesting time.Well she finally has gotten thru. the process. She still goes nuts when I take the garbage out asI use newspapers in her cage and on a daily basis changed them while she aattacked me. I was messing with her nest in her mind. She is a beautiful Blue and Gold. I have a wonderful vet here in Olympia,wa.Actually the vet is at Steamboat Island about 10 miles away.She has a Blue and Gold of her own.Info. in case some of you live in the area.I love her. she oves to go in the car.Doesn't talk a lot at 6 years old.I live in an apt. and have trained her to not squak. She out with me to feed the ducks in the pond. I could go on and on.Her name is Harley. I thought she was a boy until we did the DNA test.She eats with me. Sits on my knee and eats off the plate and I wipe her beak when we are done. I`ll stop now just wanted everyone to know how cool these birds really are.

jessica 6 years ago

i have a breeding pair of macaws,and they just layed an egg. i was wondering how to care for them and the egg.what should i do ?

rover 6 years ago

I bought my blue and gold in 1978. 31years of more now i guess. He has been just a great bird and still is. I can hand him off to anyone without woryy. he eats at the table with me. has his own plate. he was a trucker otr with me for over twenty years. He talks more than i do. I am now 62 and i wouldn't take antyghing for "Shadow". Can't imagine life without that bird!

jennifer 6 years ago

hello I just got a 7 month old blue and gold and she is very noisy as she is still scared of her new environment. what is the best way to calm her? when i hold her she does not try to bite ne however she still does screech really loud about every 20 seconds. does anyone know how to confort her? i've been trying to find good websites but I haven't found one that talks about caring for juvinile macaws. thanks

Annabella 6 years ago

I have a blue and gold macaw and i love her to death. she can be noisy and she knows what gets a reaction and what doesn't, she love my step dad and she knows that she is his bird so she can get tempermental with everybody if he does not hold her. But she is a great bird and makes a great addition to the family.

I would NOT recommend this bird to anybody who likes peace and quiet.

tina 6 years ago

hi i have got a blue and gold macaw she is only nine months old i have only had her a month and the big hole under her bottom beak i think it is her voice box bit looks a little bit red and maybe a bit sore and was just wondering if any one knew what it could be any one help it would be much appriciated

Elaine Scott 6 years ago

Hi I have a 2 year old Blue and gold Macaw and they are FAR from retarded. Mine is a beaautiful female who is currently going throgh the moult.

She has been abused to my belif just left in a locked cage and just left alone.

She is a biter she goes for me EVERYTIME my hand goes near her. I love her more than anything on this planet and I sooo badly want to cuddle her but I cant even get near her with my hand to even get her in the shower let alone cuddle her.

Please can someone help me who knows how to stop your macaw from biting?

Thankyou.

And ruth beware DO NOT GET A MACAW if you are thinking that way about birds. EVEN BUDJIES ARE INTELLEGENT BIRDS YOU FOOL.

to chet womach I am based in the UK in liverpool. My Beautiful Blue and gold macaw is a rescue bird. How do I help her to learn she can trust me? Please hekp I love her more than anything in the world and just wanna cuddle her but she goes for me whenever I put my hand near her,but when i have food she will squark at me for it. How do i go abut her trusting me,she even attaks anything that goes near her and she will not go on the floor or nothing she will just sit on top of her cage and preen,that is all she does all day long.

PLEASE HELP ME!

tina 6 years ago

i came home today and let my blue and gold macaw out of her cage and when she flapped i had blood on me so i took a closer look and her new tail feather was bleeding i am not sure what to do can any one help me out please as soon as poss as a bit worried about it

pricilla 6 years ago

my macow wants my two feet him. wat mats n do. kan you help my

anthony 6 years ago

I just got a 11 month old blue and gold macaw today from an owner whose girlfriend is alergic to the dander. I was able to pick the bird up and the cage for $850.00.

I have done research on the blue and gold and now have the time and money to afford the macaw. She is a little shy right now but will alow me to pick her up and will tolerate me. I will be pacient with her and hopefully she will bond with me and we can have a great time with each others company.

lindya 6 years ago

I have adopted a female blue and gold macaw age unknown, but possibly over 20 years as beginnings of cataracts and heart murmur has been diagnosed by her Avian Veternarian. Her previous owner info in unknown. I have had her for 11 months and she is coming along very well, from a very frightened bird, to one that is social to many people with some aggressive tendencies, most likely due to fearfulness. My problem with her is she has her own perch and table very near my husband and me at dinner and although she has food that she loves, she screams wanting our food. I am not sure what to do about this. Ignoring it is what seems to be what is asked for but her screams are earsplitting. How about step ups???? She use to actually sit at the bar with us and have her own plate but then she started to walk through our plates! Not acceptable. Any ideas.

caitlin 6 years ago

ok, so my dad has had "buddy" our 23 year old blue and gold macaw, since she was an egg. the last year or two, she gets into raging screaming fits and wont stop. i cant pick her up, or let her out of the cage (she only lets my mom or dad touch her.) so she spends the night (11 pm- 9am) covered up in her huge cage (6 feet tall, 4 feet wide) i uncover her at 9am, and open her bedroom window (yes, she has her own room, and plenty of toys and stairs in her cage) and she is quiet all morning long. at 2 pm my mom is home and lets her out of the cage, she spends a 5 hours outside on her swing, in the livingroom or bedroom on the purch, on the couch watching tv, in the shower with my mom, ect. (bird gets more attention than me, and fed better too!!! lol!!!) then my dad gets home and takes over bird duty (its his bird) he goes in the car with my dad, on bikerides, and walks around the block, so 2pm-11pm he is out and about, but he will randomly start sqawking like crazy.... and wont stop. it can go on for an hour. if hes outside we bring her in to the bedroom, she still squawks, then to the living room, in front of the tv, nothing stops her when she starts unless you cover her cager, but that upsets her sleeping pattern my dad says. what do we do???? that's my dads "baby" and will not even think of giving her away, but she is driving my neibors nuts!!!!! help us!!!!!!!!!

lindya 6 years ago

Caitlin: All parrots (from what I have read in the past 12 years) need at least 12-14 hours of sleep at night and your dad's B & G isn't getting that. Mine go to bed at 9pm and are up at noon. My Macaw goes to bed at 6-7 pm now that it gets dark early (because her cage is so huge I can't cover it, I turn the lights off) and she awakens when the sun comes up at 8-9 which is the minimum she needs. She's in a better mood if she gets more sleep.

I vote for putting your Macaw to bed early.

tim 6 years ago

I own a blue and gold macaw hes a charm and a champ. there is one way to get him or her to stop biting and to gain trust that i have foundnever reach in front of him or her always from behind to step up... when he or she is on your arn pet her from behind with gentle like sctatching and rub right behind the ear eventually they will gain the trust the hand wont hurt them ive habd mine for 6 yrs now and hand reaided him .... How ever he still bites me once in a while but its also natural.. try and see if that helps tame him or her

pebbles7700 5 years ago

I just adopted a Blue and Gold. He's 29 yrs old and he's previous owner passed away. He has pulled his feathers from his chest and top of his wings. He was mistreated by the place we "bought" him from. They left him in a dark dank room all day. When we met him they told us he was violent. He has figured out that we won't harm him and is fitting in fine. BUT he likes to play rough! As in he likes to bite, lunge, and wrestle. Does anyone know if he can be broken of this habit? And will his feathers come back. He has beautiful yellow/orange around the lower part of his face and is beautiful and we love him like he is. I think he would feel better about himself if they came back in. Oh, and for the person who thinks they are "retarded" they are not!! He has picked up my truck driver husbands bad habit already after only a short time!! He's smarter than most people I know!!

Native Texan 5 years ago

This is a post about the care of Macaws. Everyone that is being disrespectful, should be ashamed. Also, please try to learn the English language,and quit butchering it.

im not getting how to train him n one more issue is tht i have cat also...

please tell me how to train him. n wht else i can do so that he will a mannered one

Worried 5 years ago

I have had my blue and gold for 5 years since she was 3 months old. She immediately took to my other half but it had been over the last few months that I cant handle her at all because she bites me. She also becomes very aggressive when she is in her cage. If i walk near her cage she fluffs up spreads her wings opens her beak and will lunge at the side of the cage i am standing on. The problem is I have developed a strong fear of her and I know she senses it. She is a 5 year old bird and has always been very loving. She has over a 100 word vocabulary and loves to talk. She seems to be fine with my other half she dosnt give him much problem. I was thinking its part of her becoming sexually mature and mabye she sees him as her mate and im just in the way. Shes fine when shes on her playstand she dosnt act the same way but im still scared to handle her. Ive recently relocated her cage could she be mad at me for that or is this just part of growing up?

nja62 5 years ago

Dear Worried,

Your bird has pair bonded with your other half. How much time do you or had you, spend(t) time with her?

You moved her cage? is she no longer in a room where she can interact with you?

These guys are very intelligent creatures that need constant stimulation.

Mine is in the room I spend the most time with.

I strongly suggest getting back into a room with you guys and you need to start clicker training her.

Please read "The Problem Parrot" by Barbra Heidenreich.

She touches on a lot behavioral problems. Some in which I was having with my 15 year old girl.

I have had mine for 13 years.

I received Rosie as a gift, even though I didn't want to have a pet at all....long story.

I came home from work to find her in my apartment.

I had had small birds in the past, budgies, cockateils, lovebirds, nothing this big ever!!!

Let me tell you that beak is intimidating. So for two weeks I sat vigilantly by her cage and just talked to her.

After that I was able to handle her with ease.

Don't ever, ever scold her for something... you can't ever do that or you will lose her trust! Once you've

done that, it's a long haul of regaining that trust.

Don't feel bad, my girl will only step up out of her cage for my other half. She wants to hang out with me, and I am the only one that she will cuddle with. If my other half sits on the couch with us, she get's angry and redirects her aggression at me. Will step up once she is out of the cage, but again...won't step up for me out of the cage. To her it's a game. I have been working with clicker training. Melinda Johnson has a great book as well as Linda Morrow has a great book and DVD on clicker training. Linda Johnson's book is called Getting Started Clicker Training for Birds. You can find it at your local Library or Amazon has it.

You'll need a clicker that you can purchase at any pet place and a target stick.

READ the book before you start!!!!!

It will take a little time but, you will be amazed at how quickly they pick it up. They are pretty smart buggers, and love the interaction with us.

It is helping with the step up for me issue.

I hope this helps. If there ever is a bird expo in your area, I suggest that you go to one and attend a training seminar. I attended one with Linda Morrow as the guest speaker, and she hit it right on the nose for me. It made all the sense in the world.

Hope this helps, and here's to a wonderful new start in 2011!

Casey 5 years ago

I have a 7 month old blue and gold that needs a great loving home...she is very sweet and loving!!! she has a very large cage and roll around perch, also she has a HUGE walkin outdoor cage that breaks down...if so pls call me 573-587-3616...she needs a great forever home!!

Vicki.Pierce 5 years ago from Grand Rapids, Michigan

Casey you should do what you can to keep your blue and gold macaw. She is still a 'baby'. I am assuming you must be having a problem with her. Most problems can be overcame with love and patience.

mustafa 5 years ago

WAW that's a very good deal @anthony

I would love to have one but just cant afford one =[

they're ovbiuosly thousands of dollars and do deserve that much but im not much of a rich guy xD

tamara 5 years ago

i own a blue and gold macaw. Hes only 1. Other than that he is a great fun loving bird. He will repeat everything that you say. He loves to dance and whistle. He is very comical to watch. He was a great investment for our family. Even though he will open his own cage just to get out.

nja62 5 years ago

I am in 'Love" with my Blue and Gold Macaw, Rosie. I have had her for 14 years now. She loves to come sit with me and have her head scratched. In fact I can touch her all over, she doesn't mind the attention, believe me.

I have been following Barbra Heidenreich's positive reinforcement practices. Barbra is awesome.

I totally believe that there are no bad bird out there, Just poorly trained owners.

Do yourselves a favor, if you're going to by a bird. Do some research. Your local library is a good place to start. Go to a bird expo, talk to breeders/owners, take a seminar. They are wonderful companions. You don't need a degree in physcology... although it does help to understand why they do what they do and to help you from reinforcing bad behavior. I have altogether, three feathered friends, we have a lot of fun in our house.

1- Blue and Gold/ 1- Senegal and 1- African Timneh Grey.

Love 'em , love 'em, love 'em!!!

Michael 5 years ago

they are gofests

Hamad 5 years ago

My macaws have has rings on there legs how i can tell how old are they.

Magnoli 5 years ago

I know its been awhile since the person posted about the blood feather. But: when you have a blood feather bleeding, you have to stop it from bleeding. You should keep styptic powder for that and pack it around where it's bleeding. If you don't have that, use flour or corn starch. Pack it around where it's bleeding. If it won't stop bleeding, and I'm sure someone here will disagree, you have to pull the feather out. A bird can bleed to death if you don't stop it. If you feel like you can't do that,(understandable), you have to get it to a vet.

Keeping styptic powder is kind of important. You can also use it when clipping toe nails if you gat some bleeding, or, again, use flour or cornstarch. But it's better to have styptic powder on hand for these types of emergencies.

Magnolia 5 years ago

Also to the person who has macaw eggs. You're going to have to learn how to hand feed the babies. It's extremely important that you know how to make a good, nutritious baby food and the correct way to feed. You can check web sites for that, I'm sure...but if I were you, I'd try to get that information from an avian vet. In the past, I have gotten great information from Bush Gardens, (I live in Florida), believe it or not. They have specialists on hand for the animals they care for there. I have found, ( in the past, anyway), that they are usually willing to share information.

Rosie 4 years ago

I have a blue and gold macaw her name is Baby Blue. She is my girl. I bonded with baby blue days after I brought her home. I would hold her for hours every night. I loved when she would curl up and fall asleep in my lap She is now eight years old and has filled my life with bird love. I sing rock a bye baby to her every night and she does this little squeak that is so sweet I call it Bird Love squeak, I hold her everyday and so thankful she is apart of our family. I have enjoyed reading all the blue and gold macaw blogs it has warmed my soul.

Jesica 4 years ago

iHOPE U HAVE FUN WITH YOUR mACAW .

joearthru 4 years ago

We just the buitifulest bird blue bird macaw

That Guy 4 years ago

Calaise my blue and gold is extremely playful and does get excited easily, I've had her for almost sixteen years now with minimal problems.

When my wife and I got her she was still a hatchling and was hand fed by syringe from both my wife and I; This I believe also allowed her to acclimate herself to the both of us.

She has no problems going to say hi to new people in the house but if I take her with me to the pet store no one else is allowed near me especially women.

She will puff up the feathers on her head and chest, eye the person coming up to me and make a kind of hissing sound, but she does not bite them if they move too close rather she nibbles my ear or gets shy and hides on my back.

Is there a way to help her to become more people friendly outside of the house?

Also for those concerned about the screaming and squawking it is normal, what I've done and yes I know I'm not supposed to do but i hide a nut still in its shell in my hand making sure she sees it when she starts to scream or squawk when she thinks I'm not paying attention to her; Calaise will usually quiet down, come to me and say "nut please".

The other thing some people don't realize is that they scream and squawk when scared; it is a different trigger for each bird, for mine it if the hawk that lives nearby and large trucks for some reason. It can be hard to tell when they get scared and squawk/scream or if they want attention as well, sometimes it is easier to pick them up and reassure them than to ignore them.

ava gross 4 years ago

I love blue and gold macaws!!!!!!!!! I am doing a report on one!!!!!!!!!!

igor melnichenko 4 years ago

HELLO THANKS FOR READING THIS LETTER I LIVE INVENEZUELA HAD MANY ANIMALS AND OTHER PARROTSCANARIOS HENS WANT A LOT MORE TO ANIMALS I LIVE IN THE U.S. AND LOOKING PARROT OR MACAW BIRDS OR, MYADDRESS IS 4336 HARGRAVE ST ORLANDO FL. 32803,,,, RIGHT NOW I AM DISABLED AND HAVE MUCH TIME TO CARE FOR THEBIRDS, MY WIFE AND I HAVE A SON OF 7 YEARS OLD I HAVE 58YEARS, I HAVE NO MONEY TO BUY BIRDS AND DO NOT HAVEMONEY FOR TRANSPORTATION IN NOW I HAVE AN ULCER ON MY LEFT LEG AND HAVE COST IN GAUZE bANDAGES ANDTHANK GOD I CAN WALK, I promise you'll care BIRD PHOTO AND ALWAYS send THEM TO YOU, I WANT to care and love I DO NOT WANT TO RAISE SELL WANT IS LOVING CARE AS GOD SAYSALL HUMAN AND OTHER AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT, THANKSAND GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. IgorMelnichenko principeruso@yahoo.com

private 4 years ago

we have a blue and gold called charlie and he plucks himself. what can we do to stop it?!

sam 4 years ago

hi every on if any body need blue and gold macow my friend got few email me wolfs1973@aol.com

Dvianetaylor 4 years ago

About seven years ago my blue and gold turned on me. He/she has bonded with my cockatoo. Every chance he gets he tries to bite me. They are in separate cages but when I let them out they run to each other. I don't have room to move one of the cages out. Any ideas how to get my bird back?

Jim 3 years ago

I've just got a blue and gold macaw how long do I leave it in the cage before letting it out

jadeHeasman 3 years ago

Hi,i am a new owner of a blue and gold as we got him in august and me and my parner love him to pieces! He was wanted for a very long time by my boyfriend but i knew it wld be like a full time job and hate the idea of any bird being in a cage so always said i didn't want one but after a year of pursuading we went and had a look at some babys from a breeder and i fell in love with are little chuckles.He is such a joy but like i thought he is hard work and like a child but if you do your research you get to undersand why he does the things he does like calling for you when you leave without him that purly means he sees you as family and doesn't want to feel like you don't love him because in the wild they are never without there flock.he is sooo friendly with both me and my boyfreind as we share doing feeds and showers and playtime . He also always likes us together and likes to sit inbetween us and have a cuddle.i would say only get a parrot if he is going to be out for at least 6 hours so you get a real strong bond with them and read up on everything so you know your stuff and get a great big cage for when he sleeps and you go out.i wouldn't trade him for the world he is beyond a joy to have.

lost 2 years ago

Okay, I have a problem. My step dad rescued a blue and gold macaw. She has severe anxiety and is bald from plucking. She will not let anyone handle her other then a quick scratch on the head. She takes treats gingerly and thanks us, but will bite her own leg if we stay to close or too long. She does not like being out of her cage and will only climb on top of it if she comes out at all. Most times she just reaches out and closes the door. How do we help this poor bird?

DanielleG 2 years ago

I have a baby macaw and syringe feeding. Everything seems to be going well. How much should a baby sleep?

christina 2 years ago

My grandpa has had a blue/gold macaw for forty years. He has recently passed I am now taking care of her. She seems to trust me and will eat from my hand. But due to my grandpas illness hasn't been socialized for some time. I need advice she is a member of our family and always will be...

Bobbi 16 months ago

I have a 9 week old macaw that i am hand feeding i got him at 6 weeks from a breeder and its best to get them from 6 weeks for experienced person or for inexperienced people 6 months young is good so you can bond with the bird and get it used to everyone in the house including other pets when there a year or more they will be bonded with the person and when u get it. It will be set in its ways and the way it was taught to act and a new person could get bit cause the bird won't know them and will be nervous or could be aggressive toward them i learned older not always better which is why i got a baby and it loves me